Understanding Food Allergies
What is it? Food allergy affects ~6–8% of children under age 3. Food allergy is defined as an adverse immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a specific food. Food allergies differ from food intolerances, which are non-immune reactions to food that may involve enzyme deficiencies, metabolic disorders, or pharmacological reactions to food components
Common Food Allergens: Cow’s milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts (e.g., walnuts, cashews), Soy, Wheat, Fish, and Shellfish
Common Types of Food Allergies:
- IgE mediated food allergies: involves Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and leads to immediate allergic reactions
- Non-IgE-Mediated Allergies: Typically delayed symptoms; involves T-cell responses (e.g., Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome - FPIES)
- Mixed IgE/Non-IgE: Less common; Examples include eosinophilic esophagitis
When to Manage at Home
✅ You can manage your child's food allergies at home when:
- There is no difficulty breathing
- The symptoms are mild or moderate
- Mild to moderate symptoms include isolated rash/hives, itchy throat/mouth, stomach pain, nausea/vomiting, sneezing/runny nose
- Known food allergy with emergency action plan in place
How to Treat at Home
🏠 Home remedies for food allergies:
- Avoid Certain Foods: Not consuming foods that are known to cause a reaction
- For Mild Skin Reactions:
- Cool Compress: Reduces itching and swelling
- Oatmeal Baths: Soothes irritated skin
- Calamine Lotion or Hydrocortisone Cream: Relieves itching
- For Mild Digestive Symptoms:
- Ginger Tea: May help with nausea
- Chamomile Tea: Can calm digestion and soothe irritation (only if child is over 1 year and not allergic)
- Plenty of Fluids: Prevent dehydration
- For Mild Respiratory Symptoms:
- Saline Nasal Spray: Helps clear nasal passages
- Steam Inhalation: Loosens mucus and eases breathing
Safe Medications
- Epinephrine (Auvi-Q or EpiPen): As prescribed
- Hydrocortisone 1%: For itching on skin
When to Contact Us Again
📱 Contact us when:
- Symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop
- First-time reaction to a food
- Mild symptoms that resolve but need evaluation
- You're just not sure and need reassurance
When to Visit Your Pediatrician
🩺 Go to an in-person appointment when:
- Food allergy suspected and needs diagnosis
- Food allergy testing and plan development is needed
When to Go to the ER
🚨 Seek immediate emergency care in the following cases:
- There are Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue affecting breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Multiple body systems affected simultaneously
- After epinephrine administration for a severe reaction (even if symptoms improve)
- If the child has a known severe food allergy and has been exposed to the allergen (even before symptoms appear)
If your gut tells you something is wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. Need help? Reconnect with our on-demand team of medical staff available 24/7.
